Bristol baseball team looking for host homes

Baseball players are making their way to town for the upcoming Appalachian League, but some still need places to stay.

BRISTOL, Va. -

It's almost time for Apply League baseball. Some professional ball players are making their way to our region, but others are still looking for places to stay.

The Bristol White Sox Team is still looking for families to host some players this summer.

Pretty soon Faye Ward's quiet house will be filled with noise from her summer roommates; Ward is hosting professional baseball players with the Bristol White Sox.

It's the second year in a row she's opening her home to some of baseball's up-and-coming players. “It’s just an awesome bunch of guys. [They're] so respectful and they really appreciate what you do for them," says Ward.

Ward is one of several volunteers willing to house the ball players from June to August. Not only do they stay at her home, but Ward attends their games, takes them out when they have a day off and cooks for them. “They get biscuits and gravy, ham and Sunday mornings are their treat mornings,” she explained.

Ward’s 11-year-old grandson Peyton loves having the guys nearby. “I played a lot of video games with them and we've hit baseballs and pitched, done a lot of cool things,” Peyton told us.

The family says the ball players became more than just guests. “We made friends with their parents, their grandparents. It's just a good thing to really get into to make friends," Faye said.

“It's pretty cool because I pretty much admire them, so I like how they're coming back," adds Peyton.

Now the Bristol White Sox are looking for more hosts just like Ward and her family.

The players are in town now. Host homes don't have to be in Bristol; the families just have to be willing to welcome some guests into their home for the 2013 Appy League season.

There aren't any requirements for host homes. Players don't pay rent and you're not obligated to feed them, you just have to be willing to let them stay in your home for the summer.

Anyone interested in hosting one, two or even more baseball players this summer can call Richard and Traci Robinson at (423) 552-2555.